This week's 6.1km long course results did very little to ease the congestion on the leaderboard. The top 6 in the competition all finished in the top 10 this week and, as a result, we now have each of these in with a real chance of taking the 2018 title. Adam Johnson ran within himself to grab another first place and, with it, the overall competition lead. He had to work hard for it though, holding out a fast finishing Aidan Fattore by just 1 second! Aidan managed the fastest time of the week and of the competition with a 23:49, which was not too bad given the heat on the day. Keith Riley looked very comfortable in 3rd but Stewart Wood, Mark Andreazza and Michael Johns had to fight hard for the next 3 positions.

A special mention needs to go out to the ever-consistent Roy Binks. Showing that age is no barrier, Roy has finished inside the top 8 every week and no run has been any more than 30 seconds apart. Fiona Fattore was again the fastest lady with a time of 33:06.

Cooper Taylor came back with avengence in the short course this week. After strong showings in weeks 1 and 2 we were left wondering what his 14th placing last week meant. Clearly not much. Knocking over a minute off his previous best time, Cooper stormed across the line in first place. Just like Adam in the long course, that first place also gives Cooper the competition points score lead. He will be hard to unseat with just 3 runs remaining but his visit to the handicapper this week might be an unwelcome challenge.

Old timers Tony Gullo & Anthony Trefilo easily took out 2nd and 3rd placings. Anthony in particular will be a real threat to Cooper's title ambitions if he can maintain his current form. Hamish Gunn in 4th was again easily the fastest person on the 3.1km short course. Back in the pack, Ava Lowe and Isabella Salmon fought it out for fastest junior female with Ava taking honours this week by a mere 1 second in a time of 14:49.